Production Planner
Software Engineering, Product · Full-time
Riverside, CA, USA
USD 75k-105k / year
MSM Industries, LLC has been a trusted partner to the U.S. Navy and its prime contractors for over 20 years. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing business, we specialize in advanced material solutions for signature reduction, vibration and acoustic management, and environmental control. MSM also serves as a high-performance system integration and assembly provider for key customers. With in-house manufacturing and a track record for on-time, high-quality deliveries, MSM is known for innovation, reliability, and rapid response to complex program needs.
MSM is part of Canopy Aerospace & Defense, a platform built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy A&D delivers specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Canopy A&D’s advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.
Role Overview
MSM Industries is seeking execution-focused, detail-oriented Production Planners to drive day-to-day production planning, scheduling, and shop floor control within our high-mix, custom-engineered defense and maritime manufacturing operations. Reporting to the Senior Management, this role is essential in converting naval defense contracts, prime contractor demand signals, and program milestones into actionable, balanced production schedules.
The Production Planner ensures seamless alignment between raw material availability (elastomers, polymers, resins, specialized metallic inserts, curing agents), tooling/mold readiness, production work-center capacity, and strict defense delivery commitments. This is an ideal opportunity for a proactive planner who excels in a build-to-print, high-mix/low-to-medium-volume defense environment delivering mission-critical naval, submarine, surface vessel, and signature-management hardware.
Key Responsibilities
- Master Scheduling & Work Order Management: Develop, release, and maintain detailed production schedules and discrete work orders across specialized work centers, including elastomeric/rubber compression molding, urethane casting, composite layup, bonding/curing ovens, CNC routing/trimming, and final assembly.
- Material & Tooling Synchronization: Coordinate with Purchasing and Inventory to track long-lead raw materials, ensure tooling/mold availability, and eliminate kit shortages prior to job release.
- Capacity & Bottleneck Management: Perform rough-cut and finite capacity planning across specialized equipment (presses, CNC mills, curing stations); identify production constraints and recommend leveling strategies to optimize throughput and cycle times.
- Maritime & Defense Program Support: Partner with Program Managers and Operations to ensure build schedules align with customer-critical milestones, delivery schedules, and naval ship availability/docking windows.
- Shop Floor & Constraint Resolution: Conduct daily gemba walks and participate in daily production tier meetings to monitor Work-In-Process (WIP), identify bottlenecks, and develop rapid schedule recovery plans for delayed lots.
- ERP/MRP Data Integrity: Maintain accurate manufacturing parameters in the ERP system, including Bills of Material (BOMs), routings, standard setup/run times, scrap factors, lead times, and lot tracking data.
- Outside Processing & Special Test Tracking: Coordinate and schedule outside special processes (destructive/non-destructive testing, acoustic performance testing, specialized coatings, environmental testing) to prevent flow stoppages.
- Operational Performance Metrics: Track and drive improvements in core KPIs: On-Time Delivery (OTD), Schedule Adherence, WIP dwell times, past-due backlog reduction, and scrap/rework impact on schedule.
- Quality & Compliance Alignment: Ensure all planning data complies with defense requirements, customer flow-downs, MIL-SPECs/NAVSEA standards, and AS9100 quality system procedures.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience: 2–5+ years of production planning, master scheduling, or material planning experience in a defense, maritime, aerospace, or precision engineered products manufacturing environment.
- ERP/MRP Proficiency: Hands-on experience working with ERP/MRP platforms (Epicor or equivalent) for discrete work order execution and capacity planning.
- Manufacturing Knowledge: Familiarity with planning in build-to-print or custom fabrication environments (e.g., molding, curing/bonding, composite processing, or precision fabrication).
- Analytical Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to analyze capacity constraints, interpret BOMs and routings, and balance competing schedule priorities.
- Communication & Teamwork: Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with shop floor operators, engineers, supply chain, and program leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting naval/maritime defense programs
- Experience with molded polymers, silicone/polyurethane formulations, composite structures, elastomeric materials, CNC machining or mechanical assemblies
- Working knowledge of Epicor ERP.
- Familiarity with AS9100 / ISO 9001, ITAR compliance, and military defense packaging/labeling standards.
- Professional certifications such as APICS CPIM / CSCP or Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt.
Additional Requirements
- Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English
- Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation
- Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use
- Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email
- Ability to use a computer to complete assignments
Job Details
Type: Full-time
Base Salary Range: $75,000-$105,000/yr
Business Hours: Core hours, M-F with availability to work overtime as needed
Base Location: 100% on-site in Riverside, CA
Travel: None
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. 401K company match (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.
Export Control Requirements
To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
MSM Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with MSM Industries is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.